Mourinho’s Foundations
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...After an excellent Chelsea performance that showed a lot of what has been missing at the club since 2009-10, Joe Tweeds provides a few thoughts on the game and a potentially world class side on the horizon.
Being defeated and ostensibly claiming some sort of moral victory is something that typically sits a little more in N5 than SW6. Their victory in the Allianz Arena last season was as meaningless as it was hollow. After being completely destroyed at the Emirates, Bayern switched off at home. A great Arsenal European night, so we are told frequently by Gooners, was merely the product of an immensely superior side ensconced in the knowledge they were going through.
José Mourinho was pointedly blunt with his post-match thoughts: “they go home with the cup.” He is not here for sentiment or to thankfully win over neutrals. Unlike those N5 inhabitants, clinging to moral victories is not something Mourinho relishes. That is the difference between the clubs, the difference between the fans and the difference between the managers. Arsenal’s fans have only recently morphed into the moral arbiters of football – all the pomposity had to be channelled into something when gloating about their success dried up.
The performance last night might not have delivered the trophy, however it was the first real indication of where the squad truly stands in the European hierarchy. We are certainly not at Bayern Munich’s level, but the chasm in class pundits and oppositions fans were predicting never materialised. In truth, we probably troubled them more than most sides they have encountered in the past eighteen months. I look back to our phenomenal defensive display in the Allianz and quite simply nothing will top that effort. Yet, in many ways, this was this arguably a better performance. No moral victory, just a fantastic indication of where the club is heading. Unlike those in N5, we have genuine cause for excitement.
David Luiz is back
While his first ten minutes were a little rambunctious the last 110 were of pure quality. He lost Mandžukić once all evening for a headed chance. Once. This is from a guy who we are repeatedly told cannot defend, should be playing in midfield and who is not a Mourinho player. Luiz was exceptional last night and even more so when you consider this is his first game of football in weeks. He was absolutely everywhere last night, tackling, intercepting and generally being a nuisance.
The way he bullied Bayern’s focal point was a joy to watch. Mandžukić spent most of the game throwing himself to the ground in typical Guardiola fashion. Luiz, on the other hand, spent the entire night swaggering around the pitch in his unique swashbuckling style. It was a joy to watch him on a night where he really laid a marker down for the season. As things stand it really is a choice of Luiz +1 at the back.
Oscar, the complete package
Oscar led the side in tackles, passes and touches last night. He did all this playing as a number ten and it intimates that he is the focal point of our side. He was silky in possession and far too quick on several occasions for the Bayern players who merely resorted to fouling him as soon as possible. His chance to win the game in the second half should have been taken and without question his weak point is his finishing. A scorer of great goals but not a great goal scorer is apt.
The link between midfield and attack is the area where we have seen the least amount of fluidity this season. Personally, the Schürrle experiment failed at Old Trafford largely due to our midfield’s inability to use the ball quickly and intelligently. This was echoed by Mourinho’s words after that game. How do we improve that area? The answer should be to move Oscar deeper.
He has the defensive tenacity to work in a pivot or midfield three, but his quality on the ball is what will really make a huge difference to how we play. Lampard has always been at his best facing goal and Ramires is the same. Neither have the ability to play constantly on the half-turn, to receive the ball and immediately drive forward. Oscar does this all the time when he drops into midfield and the only times we really looked like hurting United was when he did this. It would add much needed creativity to our central areas and allow Juan Mata to be deployed ahead of him.
Mata playing as a pure number 10, Hazard to his left, a hard-working/creative winger to the right (Schürrle or De Bruyne) and Oscar next to Mikel/Ramires/van Ginkel.
Eden Hazard’s dancing feet
Not many people make a mug of Philipp Lahm, “the cleverest player [Guardiola] has ever worked with.” Then again, not many people have the ability of Eden Hazard. Picking the ball up from David Luiz he glided towards the superb German international on the left touchline. With a quick shimmy and a flick of the outside of his boot Hazard had completely beaten Lahm, spinning the German the wrong way as he ghosted past him. Hazard’s excellence comes from his ability to beat defenders purely on body movement. It is something that Messi does regularly and while Hazard is not on that level, his dribbling is not too far off.
The second feint on Jérôme Boateng was even more delicious, so subtle yet completely planting the centre back as he skipped past him with ease. While Manuel Neuer may be annoyed about being beaten by the resulting shot, the skill of Hazard to put himself in that position was brilliant considering the level of opposition. Hazard is slowly warming up this season and he continues to influence games. There is so much to come from the Belgian this year. His defensive work has increased immeasurably, but he is becoming much more potent in big games.
Petr Čech, still got it
The Franck Ribéry strike that beat Čech was probably one that Chelsea’s greatest goalkeeper might have done better with on another day. He, more than most, is aware of the bright Belgian star looming in the distance of the Spanish capital. Nevertheless, Čech put the goal behind him and went on to produce a string of fine saves to keep Chelsea in the game. His reflex saves from corners were exceptional and the athletic prowess to keep Ribéry’s free-kick out was just superb.
There will be a decision to be made at some point concerning the future and the present. Thibaut Courtois would start at any Premier League club, any club in La Liga and is pushing to be one of the top goalkeepers in Europe this season. I am rather glad that I do not need to make that choice, but what remains is that Chelsea’s goalkeeping present and future look increasingly secure.
A word on Schürrle
As things stand Chelsea’s biggest spend of the summer remains that of André Schürrle. For whatever reason he seems to have garnered a lot of sceptics, but his performance against Bayern provided a clear indication of his quality. He regularly troubled his full-back and the awareness and pass to find Torres does not come from average footballers. He will be a great player for Chelsea this season.
He provides a pacey, hard-working wide outlet who was one of Chelsea’s best players on the night. As he grows in familiarity of the team and what Mourinho wants of him I can only see Schürrle developing into one of Mourinho’s favourite players. He offers natural and genuine width on both flanks, something we desperately need when deploying a lot of centrally creative players. A goal would certainly help him settle quickly, but it is great to see us using a proper winger once again.
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I really luv jose, he trully knows how to get the best frm his players and how to gear the supporters to his side. This chelsea team wt Willian and Eto, I’m sure we will win trophies this season. Mou is trully the special one, I hope we meet Bayern again in semi-final champios league. Kudos to the guys
lamps and Ramires is the reason we aren’t a dominant force yet…..sloppy passing really disturbs our flow on far too many occasions….two midfielders who are comfortable on the ball is what we need which will result in our attacking 3 seeing more of the ball and creating more chances …..